Computer Vision Surgical Record Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surgical procedures face challenges in reducing the surgeon's cognitive load, as existing systems do not effectively automate documentation and adjust system parameters in real-time based on recognized events or steps during surgery, leading to increased procedural time and risk of complications.

Innovation Solution

A computer vision-based system that captures images and kinematic data to detect surgical tools, anatomy, and procedural steps, automatically documenting key events, adjusting system settings, and providing contextually-aware information to reduce cognitive burden on surgeons.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the surgeon manually documents surgical events and adjusts system parameters, then documentation accuracy and system parameter optimization are improved, but the surgeon's cognitive load increases and procedural time extends

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocumentation accuracyVSAvoidprocedural time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically detects surgical events using computer vision and generates documentation without requiring surgeon intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously monitoring the surgical site,识别ing procedural steps, and creating surgical records, thereby eliminating the time burden of manual documentation while maintaining accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual documentation with an automated computer vision system. The system uses image processing algorithms to detect surgical events and automatically generates documentation, substituting the surgeon's manual writing or voice dictation process with an automated computational system that reduces procedural time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of information

If the surgeon manually creates documentation and monitors surgical events, then documentation completeness is improved, but cognitive load and risk of complications increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocumentation completenessVSAvoidrisk of complications
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors the surgical site using computer vision and provides real-time feedback by detecting surgical events and automatically documenting them. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures comprehensive documentation of all surgical events while allowing the surgeon to focus on the procedure, thereby reducing cognitive load and the risk of complications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary computer vision system that acts as a mediator between the surgical events and the documentation process. This intermediary automatically captures and documents surgical events, ensuring completeness without requiring the surgeon's direct involvement, thereby reducing cognitive load and improving safety

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automated computer vision systems are implemented to recognize surgical events, then productivity and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurgeon productivityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system integrates multiple functions into a single computer vision platform, including surgical event detection, procedural step recognition, and automatic documentation generation. This multi-functional approach increases productivity while managing complexity by consolidating capabilities rather than using separate systems for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20220104887A1Surgical record creation using computer recognition of surgical events
Publication Date: 2022.04.07 KARL STORZ SE & CO KG
  • US20220104887A1 patent drawing
  • US20220104887A1 patent drawing
  • US20220104887A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system for capturing records of a surgical procedure includes a camera that captures real time video images of a surgical treatment site. The system detects completion of a predetermined step of a surgical procedure by analyzing the image data using computer vision or analyzing kinematic information from a robotic component. Upon detecting completion of the predetermined step, the system stores a frame from the image data in a surgical record for the procedure.